HIGHLIGHTS

Annual Dussera rally at Bhagwangad shrine was started by Pankaja's father.

Pankaja Munde

HIGHLIGHTS

Pankaja Munde to address annual Dussehra rally at Bhagwangad.

Head at the shrine warned Pankaja against making a speech.

Annual Dussera rally at Bhagwangad shrine was started by Pankaja's father.

In what is seen as a struggle of supremacy over the 'Vanjari' caste, Pankaja Munde will address the annual Dussehra rally at the foothills of Bhagwangad.

HEAD AT THE SHRINE AGAINST PANKAJA'S SPEECH

The head at the shrine, Namdevshastri Sanap had warned Pankaja against making a speech at the annual meet during Dussehra organised at Bhagwangad. This has led to an ugly tussle between the two, making it appear like a tug of war over the control of the community.

Bhagwan baba temple on the borders of Ahmednagar and Beed districts is a pilgrim centre revered by the Vanjari community to which Pankaja belongs. Vanjari is also a politically dominant caste in Maharashtra along with Marathas , Mali and Dhangar.

TRADITION STARTED IN 1993

The Annual Dussera rally at the Bhagwangad shrine is a tradition started by Pankaja's father and BJP leader late Gopinath Munde in 1993. Ever since, lakhs from the community gather at the pilgrim centre on Dussehra, which is also seen as a show of strength by the caste. But this year, the Bhagwangad temple trust has resolved that it won't allow Pankaja to address the gathering.

Namdevshastri has written to the state warning of a law and order situation if Pankaja insists on speaking. Alleged audio clip of Pankaja and Namdevshastri threatening each other had gone viral.

Meanwhile, the administration has issued notice under Section 144 at the religious shrine. With Pankaja adamant on addressing a rally though at the foothills, huge security has been deployed on the hills of Bhagwangad and surrounding areas.